Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1887-02-24
NALUTATIUNS.
Forms OF Greeting among Ancient McsFms
How the Custom of Extending the Right
Hand Was Intruduccd>

IL IS reliteu ny DlI NNl'tt E"o''' ~
one Oh his great historical novels, that a
certain chieftain possessed such strength
that he was able to crush the hand OF
amy one offered to him by way OF salu'
tation. That this is no more cxaggera-
ton is evidenced from the fact that
there are many cases on record Illus
traling the Samson like grip Of such
persons. and their address otherwise in
court and on field.
The various forms Of saluta1ion have
always been Of much interest. In ear
ly Bible times, the record reads that
Esau ran to meet Jacob. his brother,
and fell upon his neck and kissed him
The embrace and the kiss were certain
ly among the first exhibitions of frater.
nal affection. If the Hebrew habit was
that, so it can be quoted from the
"Blind old man OF Scio $ rocky isle, -
Homer, in the Odyssey. that when the
hero of that grand epic made himself
known to his friends they placed their
arms about Ulysses and showercd kisses
upon the head, hands and shoulders -
That sign of affection became in time
restricted to relatives and those by the
sacred rites of rrlaSe soon to be re-
lated.
In New Testament times the holy
kiss was enjoined upon the brethren
Among less cultured people the rub
bing Of noses was long held in high es-
TEEN, and it is told by travellers that
even to this day in parts of Africa the
shifting or nose rubbing snst ON prevails
as also among do-Chinese races,
Mongols, and others, while the Eskl-
mos and Laplanders follow the same
habits.
In many places the kiss is popular
and men kiss each other as an express
sion Of their regard. 1t is quite COM
mon in Continental Europe for parents
and near relatives to quit their family
and friends with a kiss on each cheek.
The custom of kissing the head is
also very venerable, and has been in
vogue time out Of mind.
The right hand of fellowship is cy-
tended IN most churches upon receiv-
ing members intO the communion -
When candidates for ordination or for
any important step in the course of
Christian life are accepted, the second
chapter Of Galatians comes to mind,
and the right hand of fellowship is e1
tended There is no doubt but that
this custom of extending the right hand
was introduced into all modern Chris
tain nations. 1t is based upon the
Scripture narrative and epistle, and
while possibly not wholly new, still
was given higher significance through
the New Testament forms. The In
dams of the plains and the mountains
of the West have the universal "How"
and the grasp Of the hand. which thev
have borrowed from the white man.
This habit has become fixed among al
most every unciyilizcd people.
1t is recognized AS the proper act, no
ceremony is complete without it, and
it is like the tobacco among the tribes
the sine qua non of all ceremonies, the
sign that must precede all intercourse.
In the early days in the Mississippi
Valley the Jesuit missionaries said the
Illinois Indians met them with both
their hands and arms held high in the
air. This also was the greeting they
gave the air. This also was the greet
ing they gave the sun, Waubun, on his
appearing in the morning. The sign
of welcome and amity has ever been
the right hand, indicates and signifies
power, honor the king held the scep-
ter in his right hand the great pontitf
of Rome gave the benediction with the
right hand, the signet rings were worn
on the right hands; and all the great
and important and Impressive State,
religious and paternal acts were per
formed by the hand tina, moved the
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